If a rectangle has all angles measuring 90 degrees, what can be said about its sides?

If a rectangle has all angles measuring 90 degrees, what can be said about its sides?

• A. All sides are equal
• B. Opposite sides are equal
• C. All sides are unequal
• D. Adjacent sides are equal

Answer: (B)

In a rectangle, the defining characteristic is that it has four right angles, each measuring 90 degrees. This geometric property leads to the conclusion that opposite sides of a rectangle are equal in length. When you consider the layout of a rectangle, each pair of opposite sides will mirror each other in length. This means that if one side has a certain measurement, the side directly opposite it will have the same measurement. For example, if the length of one pair of opposite sides is 5 units, then the other pair must also be 5 units. This property is fundamental to rectangles and distinguishes them from other quadrilateral shapes. While it is true that in specific cases such as a square, all sides can be equal, this is not a general requirement for rectangles. In fact, rectangles can have varying lengths for adjacent sides, as long as opposite sides remain equal. Thus, the correct conclusion about a rectangle is that its opposite sides are equal.

In a rectangle, the defining characteristic is that it has four right angles, each measuring 90 degrees. This geometric property leads to the conclusion that opposite sides of a rectangle are equal in length.

When you consider the layout of a rectangle, each pair of opposite sides will mirror each other in length. This means that if one side has a certain measurement, the side directly opposite it will have the same measurement. For example, if the length of one pair of opposite sides is 5 units, then the other pair must also be 5 units. This property is fundamental to rectangles and distinguishes them from other quadrilateral shapes.

While it is true that in specific cases such as a square, all sides can be equal, this is not a general requirement for rectangles. In fact, rectangles can have varying lengths for adjacent sides, as long as opposite sides remain equal. Thus, the correct conclusion about a rectangle is that its opposite sides are equal.